If you haven’t yet tried the magic that happens when salty, tangy feta cheese gets wrapped up in crispy, flaky phyllo and then drizzled with golden honey, you’re in for a treat! This Baked Feta Wrapped in Phyllo with Honey Recipe is truly one of those dishes that feels fancy but comes together so easily, making it perfect for weeknights or special occasions alike. I absolutely love how the crispy phyllo cracks with every bite, revealing warm, melty feta inside. Stick with me, and I’ll show you how to nail this delightful savory-and-sweet combo every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Yet Elegant: Few ingredients combine for a show-stopping appetizer that looks like you spent hours.
- Perfect Sweet & Savory Balance: The honey drizzle perfectly complements the tangy feta and crisp phyllo.
- Versatile & Quick: Ready in under 30 minutes—great for impromptu gatherings or busy weeknights.
- Impress Without Stress: I discovered this makes a perfect starter that’s sure to wow guests without stressing the cook.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These straightforward ingredients create a harmony of textures and flavors you’ll come back to again and again. When shopping, look for good-quality feta and fresh phyllo dough—these really make a difference.
- Feta cheese: Opt for blocks rather than crumbled feta; they hold shape better when baked and wrapped.
- Phyllo dough: Make sure it’s thawed properly and kept covered—phyllo dries out fast!
- Honey: Use raw or quality honey for that rich, floral sweetness that balances salty feta.
- Toasted sesame seeds: Adds a subtle nutty crunch that complements the honey and feta beautifully.
- Fresh thyme leaves: For garnish, bringing a fresh herbal lift to each bite.
- Extra virgin olive oil: For brushing the phyllo and helping it crisp up nicely.
Variations
What I love about the Baked Feta Wrapped in Phyllo with Honey Recipe is how adaptable it is! You can tweak it to suit your taste or dietary needs easily. Feel free to get creative and make it yours.
- Add spices: I sometimes sprinkle a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of crushed red pepper inside before wrapping for a gentle kick.
- Use different herbs: Swap thyme for rosemary or oregano to bring new flavor notes to the table.
- Make it vegan-friendly: Try using a firm tofu “feta” alternative for a dairy-free twist—just be sure to press it well.
- Mix up seeds: Sprinkle chia seeds or poppy seeds with sesame for added texture and nutrients.
How to Make Baked Feta Wrapped in Phyllo with Honey Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Phyllo
Preheat your oven to 350°F and position the rack right in the center—that way, the heat circulates evenly for a perfect golden crisp. While the oven warms, lay out your thawed phyllo sheets on a clean surface. This dough dries out lightning-fast, so keep a damp towel handy to cover what you’re not using.
Step 2: Wrap the Feta Like a Gift
Brush the phyllo sheet facing you generously with olive oil—that’s your key to ultra-crispy, golden layers. Place one block of feta near the short edge closest to you. Fold the sides in gently to almost cover the cheese, brushing more olive oil as you go, and then roll it away from you until the cheese is fully wrapped up like a cozy little package. Repeat with the second block and second phyllo sheet. Don’t skip that last olive oil brush on top—it’s what makes this dish shine.
Step 3: Bake to Crispy Perfection
Place the wrapped feta blocks seam-side down on a small baking sheet. Pop them in your preheated oven for about 20 minutes. After this, if one side isn’t golden enough, carefully flip them over and bake for another 5 minutes. I learned the hard way to keep an eye on the phyllo during baking — you want it just golden and crisp, not burnt.
Step 4: Drizzle with Honey and Garnish
As soon as your phyllo-wrapped feta comes out of the oven, gently transfer it to your serving plate with a spatula to keep that crunch intact. Drizzle generously with honey—this is where the magic really happens. Sprinkle on toasted sesame seeds and fresh thyme leaves for a beautiful finish that balances sweet, savory, nutty, and herbal notes.
Pro Tips for Making Baked Feta Wrapped in Phyllo with Honey Recipe
- Keep phyllo covered: Always cover unused sheets tightly with a damp towel to prevent them from drying out and tearing.
- Brush generously with olive oil: The key to flaky, golden phyllo is plenty of oil on every layer, which adds flavor and crispness.
- Use a gentle flip technique: When turning baked bundles, slide a thin spatula under carefully so you don’t crack the flaky layers.
- Don’t rush the honey drizzle: Add honey right before serving to keep that divine contrast of textures—melty cheese and crispy phyllo with sweet drizzles.
How to Serve Baked Feta Wrapped in Phyllo with Honey Recipe
Garnishes
I always reach for fresh thyme because it adds this incredible herbal brightness that cuts through the richness beautifully. If you don’t have thyme, a sprinkle of fresh oregano or even a light dusting of lemon zest works wonderfully. The toasted sesame seeds also bring a subtle crunch and nuttiness I adore.
Side Dishes
This baked feta pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette or some warm pita bread for scooping up all those luscious honey-drizzled crumbs. I sometimes serve it alongside roasted vegetables or a Mediterranean grain salad for a fuller meal that still feels light and fresh.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to arrange each phyllo-wrapped block on small individual plates, then drizzle honey in delicate zigzags and scatter herbs artistically. You can also serve it family-style on a rustic wooden board surrounded by clusters of grapes, olives, and nuts for a stunning Mediterranean-inspired spread your guests will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (they can disappear fast!), keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. I find wrapping each piece separately in parchment helps preserve the phyllo’s crispness. Plan to eat leftover baked feta within 2 days for the best texture and flavor.
Freezing
I don’t usually freeze this recipe because the phyllo can get soggy after thawing, but if you want to try, wrap each phyllo-wrapped feta tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge and re-crisp in the oven before serving.
Reheating
The best way to reheat is in a preheated oven at 325°F for about 10 minutes or until warmed through and crisp again. Avoid microwaving—it makes the phyllo chewy and sad instead of crisp and flaky.
FAQs
-
Can I make Baked Feta Wrapped in Phyllo with Honey Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prep the feta wrapped in phyllo up to a few hours ahead. Just keep the wrapped blocks covered in the fridge and bake them right before serving to maintain the crispness. Drizzle honey and garnish only when ready to eat.
-
What if I can’t find phyllo dough?
If you don’t have phyllo handy, you could try using puff pastry sheets as a substitute for a similar flaky texture, though it will be a bit richer. Just be sure to thaw properly and keep it chilled before wrapping your feta.
-
Can I use crumbled feta instead of blocks?
For this recipe, I recommend using feta blocks rather than crumbled feta. The blocks hold their shape better during baking and make wrapping in phyllo easier, preventing leaks and mess.
-
How important is the honey in this recipe?
Honey is the crowning glory here! It creates a wonderful sweet contrast to the salty feta and crispy phyllo. Don’t skip it—use a good-quality honey for the best flavor impact, drizzling it fresh just before serving.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Feta Wrapped in Phyllo with Honey Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites because it feels so luxurious and comforting in every bite, yet requires minimal effort. Whether you’re entertaining or simply craving something indulgent but easy, this recipe delivers every time. I hope you’ll enjoy making it as much as I do—it’s such a crowd-pleaser that literally everyone I’ve shared it with asks for seconds. Go ahead, give it a try, and let me know how your kitchen smells when it’s all bubbly and golden out of the oven!
Print
Baked Feta Wrapped in Phyllo with Honey Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Phyllo-Wrapped Greek Baked Feta with Honey is a delightful appetizer featuring creamy feta cheese enveloped in crispy, golden phyllo dough. Baked to perfection and finished with a drizzle of sweet honey, toasted sesame seeds, and fresh thyme, this dish offers a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors. Ideal for parties or a sophisticated snack, it comes together quickly with minimal ingredients.
Ingredients
Cheese
- 2 blocks of quality feta (3 ounces each)
Phyllo Dough
- 2 sheets of phyllo dough (thawed)
- Extra virgin olive oil (for brushing)
Toppings
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (more to taste)
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Heat the oven to 350 degrees F and position a rack in the center to ensure even cooking of the phyllo-wrapped feta.
- Prepare the phyllo sheets: Lay each sheet of phyllo dough flat on a clean surface or cutting board. Brush the surface facing you generously with extra virgin olive oil to help it crisp up beautifully when baked.
- Wrap the feta: Place one block of feta near the bottom edge of the oiled phyllo sheet. Fold the sides of the phyllo over the cheese to nearly enclose it, brushing more olive oil on folded sections as needed. Continue rolling the phyllo around the cheese, moving it away from you. Repeat this wrapping process with the second block of feta and remaining phyllo sheet. Finish by brushing the outside of the phyllo package with more olive oil.
- Arrange for baking: Place the phyllo-wrapped feta blocks seam side down on a small sheet pan to prevent them from unwrapping during baking.
- Bake: Bake on the center rack for about 20 minutes or until the phyllo is golden and crispy on top and bottom. If after 20 minutes the bottom side is golden while the top is still pale, carefully flip the pieces and bake for an additional 5 minutes until evenly crisp and golden.
- Serve with honey and garnishes: Remove the baked feta from the oven and transfer carefully to a serving plate using a spatula. Drizzle immediately with honey, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, and garnish with fresh thyme leaves. Serve warm and enjoy the sweet-savory combination.
Notes
- Phyllo-Wrapped Feta with Honey, known as ‘Feta me Meli’ in Greek cuisine, blends warm creamy feta with crispy phyllo and sweet honey perfectly.
- This recipe uses only two phyllo sheets, making it a quick and easy addition when preparing other phyllo-based dishes such as spanakopita or crispy meat pies.
- For best results, use high-quality feta cheese and raw honey to enhance the flavors.
- Extra olive oil is crucial to ensure the phyllo crisps nicely and does not dry out during baking.
- Be gentle when handling phyllo as it is delicate and can tear easily.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 74 kcal
- Sugar: 11.8 g
- Sodium: 16 mg
- Fat: 7.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0.6 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0.3 mg
